CHERYL Gillan was appointed Secretary of State for Wales last night as the first day of the new Conservative Liberal Democrat power-sharing government got under way.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced the Chesham and Amersham MP would sit at the Cabinet table representing Welsh interests – the first woman to do so – and pledged to push ahead with a referendum on transferring more powers to Cardiff Bay.

Mrs Gillan, who was born in Cardiff, now faces the unique situation of being in a Westminster Con/Lib coalition working with a Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition in the Assembly.

Mrs Gillan said: “As David Cameron and I have already stated, I will be progressing arrangements for a referendum on further legislative powers as requested by the Welsh Assembly Government. It will then be up to the people of Wales to decide.

“Meanwhile, the recession has taken a terrible toll in Wales in recent years. Latest jobless figures published today reveal unemployment in Wales has reached 9.3%. Families and young people across Wales have been the real victims of this recession. That’s why we need a fresh approach to creating and protecting jobs, supporting businesses, and investing in skills and training.”

Mrs Gillan, 58, said she would be seeking to meet with the First Minister as soon as possible to discuss the Welsh economy and the referendum.

A lawyer by profession, she held a junior education ministerial role in John Major’s government then took opposition spokesman roles in trade and industry, foreign affairs and home affairs before being made shadow Welsh Secretary in December 2005.

She said: “As a politician with proud Welsh roots, it is a great honour to be appointed Secretary of State for Wales.

“And as the first woman to be appointed Welsh Secretary, I look forward to using a common-sense approach to help cut through the bluff and bluster of Welsh politics to deliver the fairest deal and safeguard the best possible services for the people of Wales.

“Carwyn and I have always had a cordial and courteous relationship and I very much expect that to continue. Wales can only benefit as the governments at Westminster and Cardiff work together.”

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP said: “I’d like to congratulate the member for Chesham and Amersham on her appointment. Unfortunately, instating a Secretary of State from outside Wales will be viewed as a throwback to the 1990s.

“There will be some people in Wales that will under-whelmed at this appointment.”